What Happened to the Missing Children in Texas Flooding?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- At least six fatalities reported due to flooding.
- Children from summer camps along the Guadalupe River are missing.
- Rescue efforts are ongoing, with support from various agencies.
- The river rose dramatically from 7.5 feet to nearly 30 feet overnight.
- Governor Greg Abbott emphasized saving lives as a top priority.
Houston, July 5 (NationPress) Tragically, at least six individuals have lost their lives, and a number of children from summer camps situated along the Guadalupe River are currently unaccounted for due to the severe flash flooding that occurred overnight in central Texas, according to authorities.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly has confirmed the death toll but has withheld the identities of those who perished, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Further information will be shared once families have been notified, as indicated by the Kerr County Sheriff's Office.
"We cannot assure that everyone is accounted for. We are aware that there are some individuals who remain missing," Kelly stated during a briefing on Friday morning.
The region hosts several summer camps alongside the river, including Camp Mystic, a camp for girls, which released a statement on Friday morning confirming that the parents of the missing children have been informed.
If a parent has not received communication, their child is considered safe, the camp clarified.
Other camps along the river have also issued statements confirming that all children are accounted for, according to NBC News.
Judge Kelly mentioned that the county lacks a warning system to alert residents or campers regarding such emergencies.
The Houston Fire Department is providing assistance to first responders nearly 300 miles away in Kerr County as rescue efforts are ongoing amidst the high floodwaters.
Four members from the Tactical Deployment Unit and one engine will support first responders, while an additional three firefighters will collaborate with Texas A&M Task Force One.
"As we frequently receive assistance from across the state when Houston faces floods, we take pride in being able to aid others in their time of need," said Houston Fire Chief Thomas Munoz on Friday.
At approximately 4 a.m. local time, the National Weather Service elevated its flash flood warning, which enables wireless emergency alerts to be dispatched to cell phones of residents and campers along the river, as reported by NBC News.
The service also cautioned that a large and dangerous flood wave was advancing down the Guadalupe River.
The water level of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County rose from 7.5 feet (around 2.3 meters) to nearly 30 feet overnight and is predicted to peak at 34 feet in Spring Branch on Friday afternoon, according to the service.
Footage from online sources shows cars, campers, and mobile homes being swept away as the section of the Guadalupe River surged in the county.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated on X that the state is "mobilizing all available resources" to tackle the flooding situation.
"The foremost priority is to save lives," the Governor remarked.
As of Friday afternoon, over half a million residents in central Texas remain under flash flood warnings.